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As John Oliver makes clear in the Last Week Tonight web exclusive above, "Chuck E. Cheese was a brand founded on darkness."

This episode was originally viewable on a custom site last year, but has now made the jump to YouTube — a welcome addition to the John Oliver mascot cannon.

In the video, the host spends 25 minutes breaking down exactly what that means, from the history of the restaurant's original cigar-smoking rat mascot that would casually insult its peers to the way the franchise has tried to change and adapt in subsequent decades.

Oliver's conclusion? The restaurant needs some of its original darkness back.

"Chuck E. Cheese, you have lost your way," he says. "And we want to help you help yourself." Cue a brutal cameo from a giant Steamboat Willie mascot who delights in telling children that they're not special.

Mashable reporter Ty Cole sits down with the cast of Genius: MLK/X to discuss what audiences can expect from the 8 hour TV series.

Apple's Vision Pro is an expensive piece of kit. It starts $3,499, and that's without the extras and accessories which can drive the price north of four thousand dollars.

But it's also a technological marvel, with a ton of never-before-seen tech crammed into a device that fits onto your face. So what, exactly, is inside the Apple Vision Pro? Thanks to the repair specialists at iFixit, now we know.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro vs. Meta Quest 3: How much does $3,500 really get you?

The first takeaway from the teardown is that you should absolutely not try this at home. The Vision Pro isn't made to be easily disassembled, and trying to do so will likely result in a broken device.

That's a lot of...stuff. Credit: Apple

The second surprising thing (well, perhaps not surprising if you're caught up on the specs of the Vision Pro, but definitely astonishing) is just how much there is to cover here. From the myriad cameras and sensors built into the device, the internal stereo OLED displays, the weird external EyeSight display, the speakers, the never-before seen connectors, the light seals and face cushions, the lens inserts and headbands, to the new R1 chip inside, this is one complicated gadget.

To see what we mean, just watch the video below and count how many screws are unscrewed during the teardown. It's a lot.

The teardown focuses quite a bit on the EyeSight, which it calls a "dim" and "low-resolution" display that "adds a lot of bulk, weight, complexity, and expense to the most weight-sensitive part of the headset." Given the early reviewers' impressions of the EyeSight, it appears that Apple might have done better to just nix the idea of displaying a simulated version of your eyes to bystanders. But then again, maybe an improved, future version of the device fixes these shortcomings.

As for the external battery pack, it's essentially three iPhone-sized batteries crammed into a housing. The one surprise here is that the batteries themselves weigh only 184 grams, which makes us wonder: why the heck does the battery pack needs to weigh 353 grams? It's not clear from the teardown.

SEE ALSO: 5 reasons Apple Vision Pro will be the hottest new travel accessory

It appears that this initial teardown is just scratching the surface, and iFixit says it will follow up with more teardown videos soon. For now, however, the verdict is similar to everything we've seen and heard about the Vision Pro so far: It's impressive but complicated, imperfect but definitely very, very interesting.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for February 5 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for February 5

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Feb. 5, 2024:

AcrossGive a round of applause

• The answer is clap.

Smoked salmon

• The answer is nova.

What "roisterous" and "boisterous" both mean

• The answer is noisy.

Princess of Wales since 2022

• The answer is Kate.

Break like a twig

• The answer is snap.

DownAnderson Cooper's employer

• The answer is CNN.

Fashion creations

• The answer is looks.

Bird-related

• The answer is avian.

"Never-ending" dish at Olive Garden

• The answer is pasta.

"You got it"

• The answer is yep.

Over the last few years, the market for extended reality (XR) devices has expanded significantly. While earlier forays like Google Glass failed to take off, recent additions like the XREAL (formerly Nreal) Air 2 — and the just-released Apple Vision Pro — have shown far more promise, leaving many consumers excited about the future of extended reality. 

And for me? I’ve spent years diving headfirst into XR devices, constantly looking for the next big thing. From virtual reality (VR) headsets to augmented reality (AR) glasses and everything in between, I’ve been impressed — and disappointed — by many different options on the market…which is why I jumped at the chance to try the TCL RayNeo Air 2 glasses for myself.

The RayNeo Air 2 glasses look cool, but the design isn't super practical. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

Marketed as an “upgraded and enhanced” version of the TCL NXTWEAR S+ smart glasses, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses tout some pretty impressive specs, including:

• 1080p Sony Micro OLED displays

• A massive 201-inch virtual screen size

• 600 nits brightness

• Super-fast 120Hz refresh rate

However, while the RayNeo Air 2 glasses sound like an impressive contender in the burgeoning XR/AR glasses space, they also come with quite a few problems.

First impressions of the RayNeo Air 2 glasses

Straight out of the box, I wasn’t sure what to think about the RayNeo Air 2 glasses. Like many other AR glasses, the RayNeo Air 2s have a shape reminiscent of classic Wayfarer sunglasses, but they’ve added a futuristic edge. While the look is cool in photos, the execution didn’t quite meet my expectations.

The front of the glasses is a single black piece of plastic that’s very shiny and reflective. It looks to be attached separately to the rest of the glasses — almost like the lens has been glued to the front versus set inside frames — which isn’t my favorite. Some people might like the look of these glasses, but it feels more like a novelty product than a sleek and stylish choice. Plus, given that there’s no “frame” on the front side of the glasses, every smudge and fingerprint is easily visible on the lens. 

These frameless lenses are asking to be smudged. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

All in all, the rest of the build feels underwhelming. The glasses are lightweight and pretty comfortable, but the overall aesthetic of these glasses is lacking compared to other brands I’ve tried. They have most of the standard features: adjustable nose pads, flexible temples, and the option to order magnetic prescription inserts. However, they’re also pretty plasticky. The earpieces are rigid and stiff, the nose pads are hard to move, and the earpiece's physical buttons — one for volume and one for brightness — speak to a design focused more on features than functionality.  

Even the carrying case was a letdown. Unlike other AR glasses I’ve tried, the RayNeo Air 2s come with a cloth bag instead of a hard case, making the entire experience feel a little lackluster for the price.

What I liked about the RayNeo Air 2 glasses

The RayNeo Air 2 glasses work decently well as a plug-and-play portable external display. They offer a decent field of view, and the Sony Micro OLED displays allow you to reach an impressive screen size of up to 201 inches, with a super-fast 120Hz refresh rate and great brightness level. 

The glasses use an included USB-C cable to connect to your device, and they’re compatible with iPhone 15 and Android devices with DisplayPort out functionality. There is a separate adapter that you can purchase to use with other devices — one that works for Nintendo Switch and another for older iPhones and non-DP Android devices — but both are sold separately. 

Because these glasses don’t have a built-in battery, getting started with them is pretty easy. You simply plug them into a compatible device — I used my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — and Samsung DeX takes care of the rest. It was easy to scroll through my phone, watch movies, and enjoy the convenience (and privacy) of a personal external display without any unnecessary bells and whistles. That being said, the lack of a battery also means that the RayNeo Air 2 glasses are pulling power from whatever device you’re using, so you won’t be able to charge your device while it’s plugged into the glasses (unless you have a wireless charger of some sort). 

What I didn’t like about the RayNeo Air 2 glasses

As impressive as some of the specs are, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses were riddled with issues. The screen itself was large and super bright, but the outside edges of the screen were warped and blurry on the left and right sides — making it difficult to use the glasses in full-screen mode on DeX. The glasses also sat pretty far from my face, and the nose pads were hard to adjust, meaning a fair amount of light came through around the edges. This made the viewing experience less immersive, even though the glasses did have an impressive screen size. 

The glasses' design allows too much light to leak in. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

The RayNeo Air 2s were darker than most AR glasses I’ve tried. While this is good for visibility and contrast, especially if you’re using the glasses in a brighter environment, it makes using them as AR glasses almost impossible. There’s no real head tracking or AR functionality that I could find, so when you enter full-screen mode, the screen is stationary. Instead of being able to “lock” the screen into position in virtual space, moving your head while wearing the glasses means the screen moves with you. And, because of how dark the lenses are, you can barely see through the screen to the real world. Other manufacturers of AR glasses have worked around this by making the lenses more transparent while including a separate clip-on cover for a darker viewing environment.

Unfortunately, the built-in speakers weren’t great either. The sound was clipping, especially at higher volumes, and the speaker quality was nowhere near as good as other AR glasses I’ve tried. I found it pretty easy to connect them to other devices like my iPad  — I just plugged my iPad into the TLC portable adapter ($90) using the included lightning to USB-C cable and then plugged the glasses into the adapter. However, using the adapter and the mirroring app with non-DP Android devices was frustrating. The app was incredibly glitchy on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, and it frequently froze and needed to restart. Plus, the adapter itself felt very clunky and cheaply made, especially since it was bigger and more expensive than other adapters I’ve used (like the $49 XREAL Adapter). 

Are the RayNeo Air 2 glasses worth it?

Not really. While seeing more options in the burgeoning XR market is exciting, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses didn’t cut it for me. They worked decently well as a portable external display, but — for the price — plenty of other options are available that have similar specs, better features, fewer problems, and more potential. 

That being said, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses have some fantastic specs. The 120Hz refresh rate would’ve been great for gaming, the screen size is incredible, and the 600 nits screen brightness is excellent. However, almost every “plus” about these glasses immediately loses to downsides. The compatibility is limited, the screen is blurry and warped, and the darker lenses are a hassle. 

Overall, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses still feel like a work in progress. They’ve got a few things that are a step in the right direction, but the rest feels like they’ve sacrificed what makes a device actually wearable so they can market specific specs. On paper, this makes the RayNeo Air 2 glasses promising. In reality, they’re barely passable. 

At $379, the RayNeo Air 2 glasses have a similar price point to other AR glasses on the market, but the drop in quality is noticeable. They have many of the same issues I had with the original XREAL Air glasses — for example, they’re more like a flat monitor glued to your glasses versus an actual augmented reality experience — but they pale in comparison to newer options on the market. If you’re on the fence, I’d wait to see what TCL releases next or stick with the upgraded XREAL Air 2 glasses. They’re only $20 more than the RayNeo Air 2, but — at least for me — the quality difference is well worth the splurge.

If it feels like your TikTok FYP has turned into a glorified products billboard, you're not alone. 

With the launch of TikTok's company wide social commerce venture, known as TikTok Shop, the app has dug even deeper into its possible future as a one-stop-shop for content and products — and its beginning to affect users. 

SEE ALSO: China's live streaming factories are bleak. Now TikTok wants to open one in the U.S.

The shift has long been in the works. In 2022, TikTok teased a QVC-style live shopping experience, which would allow TikTok live viewers to buy products directly from streams. The idea built on an already growing community of multi-level marketers and dropshippers (businesses that don't make, store, or ship the products they're selling) using TikTok FYPs as advertising space and TikTok lives as the new social media selling haven. 

In July 2023, TikTok reportedly planned to integrate an in-app shopping experience for made-in-China products manufactured, stored, and shipped directly from TikTok itself, rather than small businesses. 

Meanwhile, TikTok Shop sellers also opened up a Pandora's box of legal issues despite TikTok's lengthy shopping policies, including repeated copyright infringements, illegal or potentially harmful product sales, and outright scams. And many are accused of pressuring popular creators to feature their shops in video content.

Tweet may have been deleted

The drama isn't necessarily hindering TikTok Shop's growth. In fact, it may be helping the social commerce experiment dig its claws in even deeper, building on the idea that sales can go just as viral as trends, memes, or songs. According to some reports, users spent $363 million on TikTok Shop in the U.S. in 2023.

Tweet may have been deleted

Some users have begun to push back on the overabundance of videos marked with TikTok Shop buying links, affiliate tags, and "eligible for commission" labels, used to mark when a TikTok creator is discussing or recommending a product that can be purchased directly from the app. 

Still, no amount of so-called de-influencing or anti-haul trends can fully eradicate the problem of consumers being duped by TikTok scammers. 

If we can't win the social commerce war, we can at least try to win the shopping scam battles. Keep these tips in mind before taking advantage of those frankly bonkers TikTok Shop steals.

Research the seller

Even before the official launch of TikTok Shop, consumer protection groups were calling for caution. A 2022 blog post from the Better Business Bureau notes a rise in scams, including cryptocurrency and discount code cons, appearing across the app. 

Digital verification companies have also encouraged users to be more vigilant while scrolling. An industry-curated list of advice from QRFY.com (a QR code business provider), notes that many products featured on TikTok are actually sold through independent third-party sellers such as Depop and eBay, which warrant their own vetting. 

What to do:

• Check if the seller has a verified checkmark.

• Visit the seller or brand's website to verify what you see on TikTok Shop and make sure they have an off-TikTok presence. (Learn how to spot a fake website, too.)

• Don't buy from a seller that doesn't clearly display contact information for their business. 

• Search for previous complaints of wrongdoing. A simple search of the company name and the words “complaint” or “scam” may reveal more information.

Research the product

Buyers can avoid falling into a seller trap by staying vigilant to the products themselves, long before they have to call in the customer service guns. 

A rule for all shopping: Deals that are too good to be true, are probably too good to be true. 

What to do:

• Pay close attention to product descriptions, just as you would phishing emails or other text-based scams.

• Note descriptive words like “refurbished,” “vintage,” or “close-out,” which might indicate used or faulty products.

• Only buy name brand products directly from the manufacturer or brand.

• Read customer reviews and be critical of promoted content — including affiliated videos from your favorite creators. 

If you're set on ordering, the Better Business Bureau still recommends making all purchases on a credit card, rather than a debit card, as it makes it easier to contest fraudulent charges and get your money back. 

Research your rights (and act quick)

An online purchase is, in many ways, an agreement between you and the seller. And that agreement comes with stipulations that the buyer should be careful to read over. On TikTok, that includes both the shop or seller's policies and TikTok's own protections.

What to do:

• Read TikTok's TikTok Shop policies. 

• Understand the seller's own cancellation and refund policies. 

• Act quickly if you believe you've been scammed or if the product you bought is defective. 

TikTok has its own timeline for buyers issuing after-sale disputes, which can be found on the TikTok Shop Academy. TikTok's recently updated Order Cancellation, Return and Refund Guidelines state that customers have six days after the package is labeled "delivered" to issue a return or refund.

If an order is marked "shipped" but hasn't arrived by 48 hours after the estimated delivery date, buyers can request a refund directly from TikTok. 

Sellers must handle all order cancellation and refund requests within 48 hours. 

If a shop is repeatedly scamming TikTok buyers, consider issuing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau directly or through its scam tracker. 

Want more Social Good and (vetted) shopping stories in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: As of February 5, get this Epic Flight S89 4K HD drone for just $89.99 — a 64% discount.

Are you just about bored with winter yet? This stretch of the season can make anyone feel blah. Sometimes, the best thing to do is shake up your routine. If you're a thrill-seeker, photographer, or adventurer — or if you just want a chance to explore the world from a different view, a drone may be just the thing.  

Join the drone revolution and take flight with the unmatched capabilities of the Epic Flight™ S89, on sale for just $89.99 (reg. $249). If you're a newbie, there are a lot of features that help make your flights easy to manage, such as the one-click landing mode. This allows the drone to find its way back to you on its own and land.

It has a 15-minute fly time, which is on the high end and lends itself to capturing beautiful aerial stills and videos via the 4K HD camera. It also has gesture photo control for easier control of things from below. And smart hover means it's extra stable even if it's windy.

This offer includes the Epic Flight drone, controller, screwdriver, charging cable, batteries, four blade protectors, four extra blades, and a storage bag.

With the ability to do 360-degree stunt rolls and maneuver your new drone with ease (thanks to the features), you'll be outside enjoying yourself so much that it will be spring before you know it.

Take advantage of this opportunity to pick up a feature-packed 4K HD drone at a 64% savings.

You can pick up the Epic Flight S89 4K HD drone for just $89.99 (reg. $249) and shake up the ho-hum of winter.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brainy Brands Epic Flight S89 4K HD drone $89.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of February 5, get Leelo AI text-to-speech lifetime subscription for just $49.99, or get the Leelo Pro Plan for life for $79.99 — an 88% discount on both.

Dance challenges may make up for the majority of viral TikToks and Instagram Reels, but so do videos that tell a compelling story — literally. While slapping on some text on footage may work, it's the voiceover that can truly set it apart from the influx of content online. If you were not born with a golden voice like Stephen Fry, let Leelo AI do the narrating for you instead.

Whether you're creating a presentation, a promotional video, an audiobook, or a TikTok, Leelo AI transforms written text into engaging speech to bolster your content. It uses authentic accents so your output will never suffer from the monotony of a robotic drone. For a limited time, you can grab a lifetime subscription starting at $49.99.

Leelo is capable of generating speech in over 140 languages, including English, Arabic, Mandarin, and Korean. Dive into an expansive library of more than 800 voices, including male, female, and child voices, which you can also infuse with emotion, ranging from hopeful and excited to friendly and emphatic. If you need a more professional tone, customer service, narration, and newscast voices are also available.

Any generated audio file can be organized, managed, and stored in the platform thanks to the built-in cloud storage. You also have the option to embed the Leelo widget into your website to help your visitors enjoy a seamless and immersive article-to-audio experience.

With a personal plan, you can translate up to 35,000 words per month, totaling around 4 hours of audio, while a pro plan lets you generate up to 80,000 words or approximately 9 hours of audio. With either option, you also get unlimited downloads, access to premium voices, and free commercial use of your generated speech files.

Elevate your video content. Grab these deals on Leelo for a limited time:

• Lifetime subscription to a Leelo AI Personal Plan, on sale for $49.99

• Lifetime subscription to a Leelo AI Pro Plan, on sale for $79.99

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Leelo Lifetime subscription to a Leelo AI Personal Plan $49.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Leelo Lifetime subscription to a Leelo AI Pro Plan $79.99 at theMashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of February 5, get a three-year subscription to FlyFin's tax software for only $50 — usually $252.

We are officially in the thick of winter. The holiday buzz has died down, and we are starting to get excited about the upcoming spring as the days incrementally get longer. But before we can rejoice, there's tax season to deal with. This traditionally stressful part of life can get a little easier with the help of ever-present AI. 

A three-year subscription to the FlyFin software will only cost you $49.99 (reg. $252) for a limited time. This is easy-to-use tax software made especially for those who are self-employed, freelancers, or running a small business, which is a breath of fresh air to have a tax tool designed just for those professionals. If you've recently started a business of your own or are new to the freelancer game, this could really be of value.

And this AI makes it its mission to find you every possible deduction so you get the most out of your income. Users get easy deduction tracking via AI and a quarterly tax calculator.

You can file state and federal taxes right through the app. Exporting deduction and expense information is also super easy. And you'll have access to certified CPAs around the clock with any questions that might come up, which is a huge benefit.

This offer is available on mobile and desktop and is only available to new FlyFin users. Updates to the software are also included.

Head into tax season with confidence when you have a three-year Exclusive Plan subscription to the FlyFin AI Tax App for just $49.99 (reg. $252) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FlyFin FlyFin AI Tax App: 3-Yr Exclusive Subscription $49.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of February 5, get this 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Bluetooth Car display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support for only $125.99 — a 37% discount (reg. $199).

There's something to be said about an older car that you know well and feel comfortable and safe driving. But if your vehicle doesn’t have all the latest bells and whistles, we have a simple solution. This 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Bluetooth Car display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support will give you the tech update you’ve been longing for without having to trade in your car. 

Transform your dash area into a more modern and functional space. It supports WiFi connection and apps, so you can customize your dashboard any way you like. Make calls, read messages, and listen to your favorite playlists. You can even use this display to get a better view while navigating via real-time GPS apps like Google Maps or Waze. 

Safety while driving is the ultimate priority, and this user-friendly touchscreen display has Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls to listen to through the built-in speakers. The included mounting bracket will hold it securely in place while you cruise in style. 

It can also be connected to a rear camera to assist with backing up. However, a rear camera is not included with the purchase. What is included is the display, mounting bracket, GPS antenna, power cord, AUX cable, and accessories.

This touchscreen car display is a simple way to give your car an upgrade without breaking the bank or having to get a new vehicle. And it integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as an added modern touch.

Get the 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Bluetooth Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support on sale for just $125.99 (originally $199) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay 10-inch Touchscreen Wireless Bluetooth Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support $125.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

It almost sounds like a challenge: Can you make a feature length movie with only one on-screen actor, one location, and a budget of less than half a million?

Written by Lucy Campbell and shot by Matt Vesely, eerie sci-fi mystery Monolith exists within these potentially tricky parameters. Almost the entire movie takes place in a modern, isolated house in the rolling Adelaide Hills, South Australia, following a disgraced journalist (Lily Sullivan) as she yarn-balls a weird global enigma for her new podcast series. The film could easily have been a dismally failed experiment, but Monolith's logistical restrictions actually help it shine, adding a claustrophobia and sense of realism that only heightens the core mystery.

SEE ALSO: 15 best sci-fi movies on Hulu that you can watch right now What's Monolith about?

After being publicly accused of failing to check her sources for a major story, a discredited reporter retreats to her wealthy parents' country home outside of Adelaide to work on a new podcast: Beyond Belief, a deep dive into unexplained mysteries. With the pressure to find a story building, one suddenly lands in her inbox: a phone number and an ambiguous "the truth will out" message.

Soon the journalist is on the trail of a strange phenomenon that appears to be happening across the globe: bizarre black bricks that turn up in people's lives, usually at a time of distress, and which contain bizarre symbols inside them that aren't from any recognisable language.

The story itself is creepy enough, but when strange occurrences start happening in the protagonist's life, it becomes clear that there's more at play.

The perfect glass window for some conspiracy yarn-balling. Credit: Well Go USA Monolith is a lesson in micro-budget film-making.

If it was easy to make a film for less than AUD$500,000 (£258,000 / USD$330,000), everyone would be doing it, wouldn't they? The thing is, Monolith makes it look easy. Campbell's script utilises podcast interviews and tense phone calls to add a sense of creepy realism, while Vesely adds in slow-moving cutaways to bring the interviewees' stories to life without the need for special effects.

Partway through I did wonder if the movie could have been a podcast — and it probably would have worked — but then we'd lose out on the unsettling visuals, Sullivan's brilliant lead performance, and the perfect filming location (seriously, whoever found this glass-filled modern house, surrounded by misty grey vistas, deserves an award of their own). Sullivan is on screen for almost all of Monolith's 94-minute runtime, pacing anxiously between rooms like a prisoner, obsessively editing audio files and gazing out at the hilly, gum tree-lined surroundings with the increasing fear of a woman who feels observed. Sullivan plays this role perfectly, with the layers of her character peeling back as the story progresses and her own life intersects with the mystery she's exploring.

Lily Sullivan is forced to confront her own past in "Monolith". Credit: Well Go USA Is Monolith's ending satisfactory?

The tricky thing about films that ask big questions is that you inevitably end up wanting a big answer. You want to know if the conspiracy is real, or if something otherworldly exists, even if that’s not the main point of the film. Monolith falls into this category, and its ending will subsequently divide people. Without going too far into spoiler territory there's an underlying ambiguity to the movie that doesn't disappear by the end credits. But arguably the story is as much about mental illness, our pasts, and the devastating effect both these things can have on us in the present, as it is about the possibility of an extraterrestrial conspiracy. The film's ambiguous tone allows these themes to be explored simultaneously, and work in a dark harmony together.

Ultimately, Monolith is a film of unease. It builds and builds and, like the protagonist's questions about the mysterious objects and her own past, it doesn't go away.

How to watch: Monolith is in theaters from Feb 16.

Behold the volcano-blanketed moon, Io.

After swooping by Jupiter's tortured moon on Feb. 3, NASA's Juno spacecraft beamed back some of the closest-ever images of this unique world. The agency's deep space probe came within just 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) of Io, following a similar pass just over a month ago. Planetary scientists hope these much-anticipated flybys will answer fundamental questions about the mysterious, lava-spewing moon.

"The twin flybys are designed to provide new insight into how Io’s volcanic engine works and whether a global magma ocean exists under Io’s rocky, mountainous surface terrain," mission operators wrote after the first images came back.

SEE ALSO: Before its demise, NASA's Mars helicopter captured a glorious aerial view

Io contains hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are active and hot enough for Juno to detect their heat on the moon's surface. Some of the prominent mound-like volcanoes are easily visible in the images below, as are darker areas where lava may have somewhat recently flowed.

These impressive views are processed (removing noise and distortion, etc.) by both professional and amateur image processors, some of whom work for NASA or related space research programs. These are the closest views of Io captured in over two decades. (More images will be added as they become available.)

Tweet may have been deleted The Feb. 3 Io flyby shows a moon teeming with volcanoes. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS Tweet may have been deleted

Io is blanketed in erupting volcanoes because it's relentlessly locked in a tug-of-war between nearby objects, including the colossal Jupiter. "Not only is the biggest planet in the solar system forever pulling at it gravitationally, but so are Io’s Galilean siblings — Europa and the biggest moon in the solar system, Ganymede," NASA explained in a statement. "The result is that Io is continuously stretched and squeezed, actions linked to the creation of the lava seen erupting from its many volcanoes."

In recent months, the Juno craft has spotted clear signs of activity on Io, including a hazy plume it observed over the volcano Prometheus. NASA's Galileo mission also captured a plume above these fields of lava in the year 2000.

"It is the purest form of discovery."

Planetary scientists will pour over these latest images in the coming weeks, months, and years. The new views and data could reveal whether or not a lava ocean sloshes beneath Io's hardened lava crust.

"It is the purest form of discovery," Ashley Davies, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who researches Io, told Mashable in November 2023. "We're seeing things that we have never seen before."

Taylor Swift made history at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, becoming the only person in the award show's history to win Album of the Year four times. The previous record was jointly held by musical icons Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder.

Announced by Celine Dion, Swift shares her Grammy for Album of the Year with her fellow producer and songwriter Jack Antonoff, as well as engineers/mixers Zem Audu, Bryce Bordone, Serban Ghenea, David Hart, Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Ken Lewis, Michael Riddleberger, Laura Sisk, and Evan Smith, and mastering engineer Randy Merrill.

Swift previously won the Grammy for Album of the year with Fearless in 2010, 1989 in 2016, and Folklore in 2021.

"I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song, or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love, or that I'm shot listing a music video, or when I'm rehearsing with my dancers or my band, or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show," Swift said in her acceptance speech.

"For me the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this. I love it so much, it makes me so happy. It makes me unbelievably blown away that it makes some people happy who voted for this award too. All I want to do is keep doing this, so thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do what I love so much. Mind blown. Thank you so much!"

SEE ALSO: The complete list of winners at the 2024 Grammy Awards main ceremony

Swift had already been awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album earlier in the night, noting in her acceptance speech that it was her 13th Grammy — famously her lucky number.

Time's Person of the Year for 2023 also took the opportunity of her earlier win to announce her new album The Tortured Poets Department, revealing that it would be released Apr. 19. Swift posted the album art to her Instagram account once offstage, which features a black and white photograph of her lying on a bed.

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Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for Feb. 5's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Force away.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #961 is...

REPEL.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for February 5's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Gosh darn it

• Green: Clergy members

• Blue: Rock legends

• Purple: Capital sounds

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: "Give Me A Break!"

• Green: Ecclesiastical Titles

• Blue: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

• Purple: City Homophones

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #239 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "Give Me A Break!": BROTHER, LORD, PLEASE, SHEESH

• Ecclesiastical Titles: BISHOP, CARDINAL, PASTOR, PRIOR

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: HEART, MADONNA, PRINCE, QUEEN

• City Homophones: DELI, NIECE, ROAM, SOUL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards is here, celebrating all the great music from the last year which has now been wiped from TikTok.

Held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, 2024's Grammy Awards main ceremony will be hosted by Trevor Noah for the fourth year in a row. SZA leads the artists' nominations with nine, followed by Victoria Monét with seven.

Not all the Grammy Awards will be announced during the broadcast ceremony, though. As usual, the vast majority of categories will be awarded during the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, which is being live streamed on the Grammy Awards website and YouTube channel. However, the winners of big awards such as Song of the Year and Album of the Year will be revealed during the main broadcast ceremony.

SEE ALSO: Beyoncé now holds the record for most Grammy wins at 32 awards

The 2024 Grammy Awards will also feature a slew of musical performances, including stages by Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, SZA, and Miley Cyrus. Billy Joel will take to the Grammy stage for the first time in over 20 years, while Joni Mitchell will do so for the first time at all. U2 will perform as well, though they'll be doing so from the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Here is the full list of nominees and winners at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards' main ceremony. This article is being updated live, with winners bolded as they are announced. You can watch the Grammy Awards ceremony live from 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. 

Best Pop Solo Performance

• "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus

• "Paint The Town Red" by Doja Cat

• "What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture 'Barbie']" by Billie Eilish

• "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo

• "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift

Best Música Urbana Album

• SATURNO by Rauw Alejandro

• MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO by Karol G

• DATA by Tainy

Best Country Album

• Rolling Up The Welcome Mat by Kelsea Ballerini

• Brothers Osborne by Brothers Osborne

• Zach Bryan by Zach Bryan

• Rustin' In The Rain by Tyler Childers

• Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson

Best R&B Song

• "Angel" by Halle (songwriters Halle Bailey, Theron Feemster, and Coleridge Tillman)

• "Back To Love" by Robert Glasper featuring SiR & Alex Isley (songwriters Darryl Andrew Farris, Riley Glasper, Robert Glasper, and Alexandra Isley)

• "ICU" by Coco Jones (songwriters Darhyl Camper Jr., Courtney Jones, Raymond Komba, and Roy Keisha Rockette)

• "On My Mama" by Victoria Monét (songwriters Dernst Emile II, Jeff Gitelman, Victoria Monét, Kyla Moscovich, Jamil Pierre, and Charles Williams)

• "Snooze" by SZA (songwriters Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe, and Leon Thomas)

Best Pop Vocal Album

• Chemistry by Kelly Clarkson

• Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus

• GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo

• - (Subtract) by Ed Sheeran

• Midnights by Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

• "What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture 'Barbie']" by Billie Eilish (songwriters Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell)

• "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo (songwriters Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo)

• "Kill Bill" by SZA (songwriters Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, and Solána Rowe)

• "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus (songwriters Miley Cyrus, Gregory Aldae Hein, and Michael Pollack)

• "Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album)" by Dua Lipa (songwriters Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, and Andrew Wyatt)

• "Butterfly" by Jon Batiste (songwriters Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson)

• "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift (songwriters Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift)

• "A&W" by Lana Del Rey (songwriters Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey, and Sam Dew)

Best New Artist

• Jelly Roll

• The War and Treaty

• Victoria Monét

• Noan Kahan

• Coco Jones

• Ice Spice

• Fred again..

• Gracie Abrams

Record of the Year

• "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift

• "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo

• "Worship" by Jon Batiste

• "On My Mama" by Victoria Monét

• "Not Strong Enough" by boygenius

• "What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture 'Barbie']" by Billie Eilish

• "Kill Bill" by SZA

• "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus

Album of the Year

• GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo

• the record by boygenius

• Midnights by Taylor Swift

• SOS by SZA

• The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe

• Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey

• Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus

• World Music Radio by Jon Batiste

After an onslaught of memes about the suspect design of the Dune: Part Two popcorn bucket, Saturday Night Live wrote a song about it.

SEE ALSO: Dune 2 Nasty Bucket, Worse Raps, Tiny Big Bird, and other Top Stories — U Need to Know This

In a classic bait and switch, Marcello Hernández played a "gentle" teenage boy ready to lose his virginity to his classmate played by host Ayo Edebiri. But after he breaks out into song, it becomes clear that he's actually planning on spending some quality time with the popcorn bucket's spiky hole.

Edebiri joins in and comes out to her parents as a popcorn bucket lover via song. The sketch ends with the pair sitting down in a movie theater and belting out, "Eating popcorn out of my bucket, then I take it home and fuck it."

SNL's cold open had a surprise guest this week: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

The sketch riffed on Donald Trump's South Carolina Town Hall with James Austin Johnson reprising his impression of the former president and current presidential candidate. At the tail end, Haley (posed as a South Carolina voter) stood up and asked, "Why won't you debate Nikki Haley?"

Johnson's Trump replied, "Oh my god, it's her, the woman who was in charge of security on Jan. 6. It's Nancy Pelosi."

Then this week's Saturday Night Live host Ayo Edebiri asked Haley a question: "What would you say was the main cause of the Civil War and do you think it starts with an 's' and ends with a 'lavery'?"

The question was an opportunity for a do over. In December of last year Haley said the cause of the Civil War was "the role of government."

Responding to Edebiri, Haley said, "Yep and I probably should have said that the first time."

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for February 4 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for February 4

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024:

AcrossIt can be distinguished in the night sky by its reddish hue

• The answer is Mars.

Most common cookie in the New York Times crossword

• The answer is Oreo.

Sheetful of cookies

• The answer is Batch.

Make some cookies

• The answer is Bake.

Annual Austin festival, for short

• The answer is SXSW.

DownRowdy crowd

• The answer is Mob.

Most Saudis and Syrians

• The answer is Arabs.

Charge a second levy for

• The answer is Retax.

A pair to wear

• The answer is Socks.

Chop down, as a tree

• The answer is Hew.